Which of the following situations would most likely result in a restriction from filing for bankruptcy under U.S. law?

• A. The individual has not received a bank statement for the current month.
• B. The individual has had a bankruptcy case dismissed within the past 180 days for willful failure to appear in court.
• C. The individual has an overdrawn bank account that has not been reconciled.
• D. The individual has outstanding checks that have not cleared the bank.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of the problem: The question is about restrictions on filing for bankruptcy under U.S. law. Bankruptcy laws are designed to provide relief to individuals or businesses that cannot repay their debts, but there are specific conditions under which filing may be restricted.
2. Identify the key restriction mentioned in the problem: U.S. bankruptcy law (under 11 U.S.C. § 109(g)) states that an individual may be restricted from filing for bankruptcy if they have had a previous bankruptcy case dismissed within the past 180 days due to willful failure to appear in court or comply with court orders.
3. Evaluate the options provided: Analyze each option to determine whether it aligns with the legal restriction mentioned. For example, not receiving a bank statement, having an overdrawn account, or having outstanding checks are not legal restrictions under bankruptcy law.
4. Focus on the correct option: The restriction related to a dismissed bankruptcy case within the past 180 days for willful failure to appear in court is the most relevant and aligns with the legal criteria for restrictions on filing for bankruptcy.
5. Conclude the reasoning: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is the situation where the individual has had a bankruptcy case dismissed within the past 180 days for willful failure to appear in court, as this is explicitly stated in U.S. bankruptcy law.